Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day makes $12.5 million per year in total annual compensation under the Buckeyes’ seven-year agreement that runs through the 2031 season. Ohio State announced the deal in February 2025, noting Day’s base salary is $2 million, with the rest of his pay coming through other contract components.
The USA TODAY coaches salary database, which tracks compensation for public-school coaches, lists Day’s 2025 total pay at $12,575,000 (including $12.5 million in scheduled school pay and $75,000 in other pay) and shows a maximum bonus figure of $1.55 million.
Key details (at a glance)
- Total annual compensation: $12.5 million
- 2025 “total pay” (USA TODAY database): $12,575,000
- Base salary: $2 million
- Contract length: through the 2031 season
- Max bonuses: up to $1.55 million
- Buyout terms (reported): $11.5 million per year remaining (if Ohio State terminates), plus coach buyout language
How Ryan Day’s Ohio State Salary Is Structured
When fans ask “How much does Ryan Day make?” the cleanest answer is the headline number: $12.5 million per year.
But that number is typically built from multiple buckets. Ohio State’s announcement spelled out that Day’s base is $2 million, which is the traditional “salary” line item. The rest of the $12.5 million comes via additional compensation that universities often tie to responsibilities like media shows, speaking obligations, and other program-related duties.
That’s also why you may see slightly different totals depending on the source and the reporting method. For example, the USA TODAY database lists Day at $12.575 million in total pay for 2025, which can reflect how the database categorizes “scheduled school pay” versus “other pay,” plus how it logs prior-year bonuses.
Ryan Day’s Contract Length, Bonuses and Buyout
Ohio State’s February 2025 announcement described a seven-year contract that keeps Day in Columbus through the 2031 season. On top of the annual compensation, the deal includes incentives and exit clauses that matter in today’s coaching market.
CBS Sports, citing documents it obtained, reported Day’s contract includes:
- an Ohio State “school buyout” of $11.5 million per year remaining on the deal,
- a coach buyout that begins at $6 million and drops in future years,
- maximum bonuses of $1.55 million, and
- a $250,000 retention bonus in 2027.
Practically, those numbers show two things at once: Ohio State is paying top-of-market money, and it’s also protecting itself (and Day) with hefty contract language that can make coaching changes expensive.
How Day’s Pay Compares Nationally
Day’s salary places him in the sport’s top tier. CBS Sports’ 2025 rankings pegged Day at $12.5 million, among the highest-paid head coaches in college football.
The USA TODAY database also shows just how high that figure is by listing Day near the top nationally in total pay.
Why the Money Matters for Ohio State Right Now
This isn’t just an “interesting number.” It’s a statement of expectations and pressure.
Day’s extension came after Ohio State’s CFP title run in 2025 and put his overall mark at 70-10 as head coach.With paydays like this come annual championship-or-bust standards, and the contract details (bonuses, buyouts, and term length) help explain why Ryan Day’s job status is a constant national talking point even after big wins.
If Ohio State wins a consecutive national championship, except Day’s salaries to be among the talking points in the weeks to come.
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